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Evolution of host specifity in cuckoo bees of the genus Sphecodes
Narrow specialization should be necessary for the survival of the species but at the same time it may cause its extinctionAccording to Van Valen’s Red Queen hypothesis (Van Valen 1973), every species has to run in evolutionary races with connected species as fast as it can to avoid its extinction. ...
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Cleptoparasitic behavior in bees
Cleptoparasitism is a widespread life strategy in bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea), with more than 15% obligately parasitic bee species (2500 species; Michener 2007). We can find cuckoo bees in four of the seven bee families and it evolved several times independently (Michener 2007). However, origin and ...
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Theft of provision
Stealing behaviour is well-documented in spider, potter, digger and sphecid wasps (see Field 1992 for review). The wasp's supplies are generally paralysed insects and spiders. In a typical scenario, a large piece of food is left on the ground by the owner when inspecting a nest or a possible way ...
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Usurpation
Usurpation is a widespread strategy within solitary nesting Hymenoptera. Field (1992) listed 24 solitary wasp and 8 solitary bee species with documented usurpation strategy. Usurpation is a theft directed to an active host nest construction and nesting area. So far it has been documented among s ...
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Obligate brood parasitism
Brood parasitism is well-known in its obligate form (e.g. Michener 2007) and little-known in its intraspecific form as an alternative reproductive strategy of pollen collecting bees (e.g. Field 1992). Cleptoparasitic bees with this life strategy are commonly called cuckoo bees.
Obligate cuckoo ...
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Social parasitism
Social parasitism is the best-studied cleptoparasitic strategy. It stands on the border of social behaviour, usurpation and brood parasitism. Social parasitism always includes a combination of these three behavioural patterns. Usurpation, as a component of social parasitism, is described above. ...
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